Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Salesforce announce new version of Salesforce1 for iOSIn a corporate blog post, Salesforce (CRM) announced a new version of Salesforce1 for iOS, which it said brings a "brand new way to access and edit documents in external repositories such as SharePoint and OneDrive for Business and also seamlessly edit them using Office iOS apps." Salesforce added that the release is the "latest in a series of milestones based on our strategic partnership with Microsoft (MSFT)." Reference Link

ADT rises after Citi downplays 'smart home' concernsShares of ADT (ADT) are heading higher in afternoon trading following an upgrade from Citi, within which the research firm said traditional home security firms have plenty of traction as self-installed, self-monitored security solutions from the likes of Apple (AAPL) and Google's (GOOG) Nest are slow to be adopted by homeowners. WHAT'S NEW: Citi's Jason Bazinet issued a research note on the home security sector, upgrading ADT to Buy from Neutral while slightly lowering his price target to $39 from $40. Bazinet notes that the sector is expanding into "smart home" technology powered by companies like Apple and Google's Nest. Despite this, the analyst contends that consumer data shows continued preference for the traditional approach in the form of professionally installed and professionally monitored services from ADT, Monitronics, Vivint, AT&T (T) and Comcast (CMCSA, CMCSK). WHAT'S NOTABLE: Though tech firms and venture capitalists seem drawn towards the concept of self-installed, self-monitored "smart homes," consumers appear to be sticking with the professionals, says Citi. Security systems using Apple HomeKit and Google's Nest products are seeing "limited" adoption, and firms like ADT -- equipped with call centers and installation specialists -- appear ready to "hold their own," with recent weakness in ADT shares called an "opportunity" by Bazinet. The analyst conceded that professional security providers will see their market share drop to 15% from a current 20%, but Bazinet set a 2035 date for that shift, leaving plenty of near-term opportunity for traditional players. PRICE ACTION: After a 25% drop since mid-April, shares of ADT are up about 1.4% to trade near $32 this afternoon.

AT&T, DirecTV deal conditions look reasonable, says JefferiesJefferies says the Federal Communications Commission' conditions for AT&T's (T) pending acquisition of DirecTV appear reasonable and should have a negligible impact on deal economics. The firm sees AT&T's upcoming analyst day in August as a positive catalyst for the shares. It keeps a Buy rating on the stock with a $40 price target.

China to repeal restrictions on videogame consoles, WSJ saysChina will end its restrictions on manufacturing and selling videogame consoles within the country, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing statements from China's Ministry of Culture. The report notes that foreign console makers such as Microsoft (MSFT), Sony (SNE), and Nintendo (NTDOY) were previously limited to operations in just the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, but will now have access to the entire country. A Sony spokesperson remarked, "This is great news for us." Reference Link

Nokia receives European Commission approval for Alcatel-Lucent acquisitionNokia (NOK) announced that it has received approval from the European Commission for its pending acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent (ALU). The proposed transaction was notified to the European Commission on June 19, 2015 and was cleared today without conditions following a Phase 1 review. Approval by the European Commission follows previously disclosed antitrust clearances in Brazil and Serbia and the expiration of the antitrust review period in the United States. In addition, the parties confirmed today they have received further antitrust clearances from Albania, Canada, Colombia and Russia. Both companies will continue to cooperate with the remaining authorities to close their reviews as quickly as possible. The transaction remains subject to approval by Nokia shareholders, Nokia holding over 50.00% of the share capital of Alcatel-Lucent on a fully diluted basis upon completion of the public exchange offer, receipt of other regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016.

AT&T says 'interested' in broadcast auctionOn its Q2 earnings conference call, AT&T said, "With regard to the dissipation in the broadcast auction, we did offer to participate when we first announced our intention to acquire DTV. We'll wait and see what the final terms and conditions with regard to any approval of that merger are. But in any event I would suggest to you that we'll be interested and prudent in investigating the opportunities to see what's available and participate in an appropriate way as we move forward."

AT&T expecting DirecTV deal approval 'at any time'On its Q2 earnings conference call, AT&T (T) said it expects "final approval at any time" for the DirecTV (DTV) transaction. The company said it was "very confident" it can make an adequate return on any investment it makes as part of the deal, and that it still fully expects to achieve $2.5B worth of cost synergies from the deal. AT&T said, "We are more confident than ever about the opportunity this transaction brings. We are building a unique communications and entertainment company that we believe will not only transform us but transform our industry as well."